Common Evolved ARRM derived SEP docking system for planatary missions

March 6, 2017

Allow for Planetary orbiters and flyby mission designs that can feed spacecraft RTG electrical power through the docking mechanism to the SEP/NEP hybrid stage.

The spacecraft might be in partial hibernation during the cruise and can share the power to the docked SEP to augment its engines.At some point, the two can part ways and a smaller science payload remains with the SEP stage that now can devote all the power from the solar arrays to this mission.The light is dim way out here in the outer solar system so this idea should be looked into.